Mazda produced the first-generation MX-5 Miata, unveiled at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show.
The MX-5 was developed as a lightweight, affordable two-seat roadster inspired by classic British and Italian sports cars. Mazda emphasized simple mechanical layout, low weight, rear-wheel drive, and responsive handling rather than high engine output.
The first-generation model, known by the internal code NA, used pop-up headlights and went on sale for the 1990 model year in many markets. In Japan it was called the Roadster, while North America used the Miata name. The name MX-5 became the principal global designation.
The car helped revive the affordable roadster category after many earlier small sports cars had disappeared. It is sometimes called the world’s best-selling two-seat sports car, a reputation based on its large cumulative production and enduring multiple-generation sales.